Fell in Love Without You
Chapter 11: aching wounds will cauterize and bruise
After Halloween I didn't talk to Fred at all... but then again it wasn't like he was talking to me either. The silence and mood between us was frosty and all our friends noticed.
"Do you mind not being so sickening?" I growled at Annabelle and Fred who were flirting heavily in the common room. I was trying to do my homework and all I could hear was her giggling and his low voice whispering sickening everythings to her.
"Oh sorry Avery... I didn't think anyone could hear us" Annabelle apologised and I felt kind of bad. Fred however smirked at me.
"Don't be sorry babe... Avery's just cranky coz she hasn't seen Roger in a while"
I narrowed my eyes. "Oh yes, har har. Avery likes Roger" I bit sarcastically. "Get something new asshole" I rolled my eyes and tuned him out.
"So... You're mad at Fred" Angelina stated the obvious when I turned back to her.
"No I'm not mad. I'm pissed" I sighed. "He was a total asshole to me on Halloween and I'm not backing down until he apologises" I tapped my quill on my parchment, sending ink spattering everywhere.
"But he's your best friend" Alicia bit her lip and shielding her homework from my ink rage.
"Not right now he isn't" I shook my head and glanced over at Fred and Annabelle. They were leaning close together, their lips almost touching. I stood up and picked up my bags. "I'm going to the library because this is disgusting" I sighed. As I swung my bag over my shoulder I clipped Fred over the back of the head.
"Oi! Bitch!" He called after me. I flipped him off without even turning around.
Things hadn't gotten any better as October changed to November. I avoided him where possible, spending most of my time in the Head's commons, the library or my room. Of course I saw him in classes, but I made a point to sit as far away from him as possible.
When he did have a dig at me, I ignored it. I wasn't childish or immature enough to stoop to his level... and I sucked at fighting with people. I just don't have the heart to make a scathing comment, even if people deserve it. My problem is I'm too nice, and I cared too much... especially about Fred. He is... was...my best friend after all... There was no switch to flick off caring about him.
I sighed and watched the rain splash against the library window. I liked how it reflected my mood.
"Are you concentrating or day dreaming?" Roger poked me in the side. I jerked upright and shook my head. "I'll take that as day dreaming" he chuckled.
I smiled and rested my head on my desk. "Somehow, Goblin Rebellions of the 20th century just don't hold my attention like they should" I said dryly. I heard him laugh again and then the scratching of his quill on his essay.
I'd spent more time with Roger than I had with anyone else. It was nice to have a friend that knew how I felt. Things with Eva weren't getting better for him. She'd flaunt a new guy in his face whenever she could and it ripped him up inside more than he let anyone know.
He was like my little confidant, I could spill my feelings to him without fear of being judged and in return I listened to him (and stopped him from doing silly things as most males do in situations like this – like write love letters begging Eva to take him back).
He was a friend and nothing more, although I'd heard several rumours saying otherwise. I conned a first year into telling me where he heard it and it turns out, yeah you can probably guess, Fred Weasley was behind it. How childish of him.
"Avery! There you are!" I heard Roe call out across the library.
"Five points from Gryffindor Miss Vanderbilt!" Madam Pince said from her invisible place. Roe rolled her eyes and stopped by my desk.
"I've been looking all over for you... and you Roger" her eyes flashed excitedly to the boy sitting next to me. "We've gotta go to Hogsmeade"
"Why?" I frowned, glancing at Roger. He shrugged.
"Because we do. Right now... come on!" She tugged on my hand.
"Lemme just pack up my stuff Roe" I frowned. "What's the big rush anyway?"
"There's a meeting... I can't say much here, we just have to go!" She exclaimed.
"Five more points Miss Vanderbilt!"
She sighed and pulled both Roger and myself out of the library. She gave us enough time to dump our bags in the Heads Common room before she frogmarched us all the way to Hogsmeade.
"Come on, this way" She pulled us down the street and into the Hogshead pub. "In here" She whispered and pulled us into a room off to the side. I blinked as I came face to face with about 30 students, all sitting and waiting for something. "Found them... in the library... There's as bad as you Mione" She rolled her eyes and took her seat next to Hermione.
"Figures" I heard Fred mutter. Annabelle smirked and I rolled my eyes and took a seat.
Harry Potter stood up next, which kind of surprised me. He spoke to everyone and explained why we were all here. He wanted to start a Defence Against the Dark Arts club so we could actually learn defensive magic, not just read about it in the silly class we had to take.
"That's a great idea mate" The twins said together. Everyone agreed.
"Brilliant... so if you all just sign this parchment and swear your silence, we'll be done for the day" He turned to Hermione who had pulled out a piece of parchment that looked like a contract.
The twins were the first to sign up and a line of people formed behind them.
"I think it's a good idea" Roger nodded. "God knows Umbridge isn't going to be teaching us anything anytime soon" he shook his head. I murmured an agreement and stepped up to the desk.
"I need somewhere that we can hold meetings... can you guys look around for me?" Harry was talking to the twins.
"Sure thing boss" They nodded and saluted. Fred glanced at me.
"As long as we don't get busted for being out of bed or being out of bounds"
"Avery wouldn't do that mate" George clapped him on the back. "She's part of this as well"
"Looks like her boyfriend is too" Fred nodded to Roger.
"He's not my boyfriend" I snapped, cursing my blushing cheeks. "I can give you a detention for supplying false information to the other students though" I narrowed my eyes.
He smirked and shook his head. "Go on, I dare you" He walked back to Annabelle. George looked at me apologetically.
"Don't worry about it Georgie" I sighed. I started to walk away when Harry caught my arm.
"Avery, I need to ask you something as well" He said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What's up?" I smiled. I always liked Harry. He was sweet and kind, despite being one of the most famous kids in existence.
"Well, I was kind of hoping, since you're a seventh year and a very brainy one at that... would you help me teach the others? Especially the more advanced stuff"
"Of course" I said without hesitation. "Just let me know what we'll be doing each meeting and I'll do some research... benefit of being head girl is I can access the restricted section without anyone asking questions" I winked.
"Oh excellent. That's great" He grinned. "Thanks Avery"
"Not a problem" I nodded and turned back to Roger. "What are you up to now then?" I asked.
"Heading back to the castle. Ravenclaw Quidditch practice" He explained.
"Oh cool... listen, I'm sorry about Fred... he's just..."
"Jealous" Roger cut me off with a smile. "Trust me, he's jealous. I know there's nothing between us... I'll see you later A.V." He smiled before turning and walking away. I sighed.
"So there's really nothing between you a Roge?" Angelina asked, standing next to me holding her coat. She'd obviously just heard what he'd said.
"Nope. I told you all that and you didn't believe me" I rolled my eyes. We exited the pub.
"Well, you have to admit... you're spending a lot of time with him and he's incredibly yummy" Alicia giggled. "Who wouldn't have something?"
"Me!" I laughed. "Geeze it's freezing, Three Broomsticks?" I asked with a shiver. I didn't have a coat thanks to my sister, rushing me out of the castle quicker than a house elf cleans your room. They nodded and we made our way to the popular, warm, pub.
Lee, George and unfortunately Fred and Annabelle were already there at a table.
"We already ordered you guys butterbeers" George greeted us as we sat down.
"Except Avery... wasn't sure if she was going back to the castle with her boyfriend or not" Fred bit sarcastically.
"Ignore him" George slapped him up the side of the head. "Of course we ordered you one"
"He's not my boyfriend" I ignored George instead and bit back at Fred. He smirked.
"Could have fooled me... You spend pretty much every waking moment with him, you flirt like crazy and well, you are desperate – "
"FRED!" Angelina and Alicia both exclaimed in shock.
I sat silent for a minute, gathering my thoughts. If I bit back at that I would be stooping to his level. I wasn't very good in a verbal fight, but this was Fred Weasley, and I knew exactly where to hit him to make it hurt. Benefit of being his best friend I guess. I'd ignored his jabs at me for weeks... almost a month now as November was coming to a close... Maybe it was time I let my anger take control and bite back.
"That's hilarious Fred... coming from you, who lately, seems to be the master of desperation" I gave a pointed look between him and Annabelle. "And once upon a time, we used to spend every waking moment with each other just as friends... until you fucked it up that is" My voice was cold and I could feel myself shaking. "Of course, you're such a dim-witted moron that you don't even realise that you've just lost the oldest and closest friend you've ever had. You're just pathetic" I stood up, finally having had enough of Fred Weasley.
"Well that was a super rude Avery" Annabelle blinked at me accusingly. I gritted my teeth.
Alicia drew a sharp breath in beside her and put a hand on mine.
"Oh honey... don't get me started on how much I don't like you... even after I was so super duper nice to you about the Fred thing" I shot at her. "I'll see the rest of you back at the castle"
I turned around and saw Roe, Harry, Hermione and Ron staring at me from a table over.
Roe started a slow clap.
"Thank god someone bloody told my brother where to shove it" Ron grinned. I held back a smile and stepped out into the cold wind.
I breathed in and out slowly as I walked, trying so hard not to cry. I'd just lost my best friend. The one person who knew me better than my sisters. The one person who I loved.
I really don't recommend falling in love without the other person. It sucks big time.
Plea's Note:
Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update yesterday, boyfriend was over and of course he doesn't know anything about this :P But here is number 11 and I hope you like it.
I now have a formspring and tumblr account if you guys are interested... formspring is /pleaofinsanity aannnddd my tumblr is .com
I hope you enjoy it and THANK YOU EVERYONE for reviewing. There are just too many to name but i will put a list on the next chapter. I love you all.
xo Plea